John Pritchard
The Second Intercessions Handbook - (50) INCENSE
The Second Intercessions Handbook - (50) INCENSE
by SPCK - John Pritchard
Why should this splendid aid to prayer only be used by one tradition in the Church? The idea of prayer rising like incense and leaving an aroma of sanctity is deeply rooted in Jewish practice in the Old Testament and is an image used by St Paul of the lives of Christians…
The Second Intercessions Handbook - (46) TO THE CROSS
The Second Intercessions Handbook - (46) TO THE CROSS
by SPCK - John Pritchard
(46)TO THE CROSS One understanding of intercessory prayer is that it’s a way of bringing people to the cross, where Christ is sure to be found. And where Christ is found, things happen. The cross can be used in many ways as the focus of our prayers, particularly in Holy Week…
The Second Intercessions Handbook - (45) BITTER SWEET
The Second Intercessions Handbook - (45) BITTER SWEET
by SPCK - John Pritchard
(45)BITTER AND SWEET Like the prayer with sand and water, this form of prayer invites us to identify with one or other (or both) of the bitter or sweet experiences life brings us. The use of the sense of taste is a vivid reinforcement of the experience and adds vibrancy to our pr…
The Second Intercessions Handbook - (42) PRAYER TREE
The Second Intercessions Handbook - (42) PRAYER TREE
by SPCK - John Pritchard
The visual impact of a small, bare ‘tree’ can be considerable. Like a Christmas tree, it can be the bearer of our prayers, and the act of writing and hanging a prayer on the tree can be a satisfying way of participating in prayer for all ages...
The Second Intercessions Handbook - (40) ALL SAINTS (AT ANY TIME)
The Second Intercessions Handbook - (40) ALL SAINTS (AT ANY TIME)
by SPCK - John Pritchard
All Saints Day on 1 November isn’t the only time to celebrate the saints of the Church, large and small, local and universal. But if this is the chosen time there’s an interesting symbiosis between this remembrance and that of Guy Fawkes four days later!
The Second Intercessions Handbook - (39) REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY
The Second Intercessions Handbook - (39) REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY
by SPCK - John Pritchard
Interestingly, the annual act of remembrance seems to be gaining in impact in recent years. Perhaps it’s because those who have direct memories are becoming fewer in number and we realize what we’re in danger of losing the connection...
The Second Intercessions Handbook - (38) HARVEST